Poppies are one of the most iconic and beautiful flowers, conjuring up images of bright red petals waving in the breeze. Their delicate appearance makes them seem like an obvious choice for cut flowers. However, most poppies don’t actually make great cut flowers that will last more than a day or two in an arrangement. But that doesn’t stop people from trying! With a little knowledge about poppy varieties and some preparation, you can extend the vase life of cut poppies.
Poppies as an “Event” Flower
As I mentioned above most poppies are not a good cut flower. However they are so irresistible that people insist on cutting them anyway. It’s helpful to think of Poppies as an “Event” flower, not a “Bouquet” flower. They are ephemeral and fleeting, blooming for a short time in late spring and early summer. Cut poppies are best used right after cutting, for a special occasion or event where you want their beauty to shine for a brief spectacular moment. Don’t expect them to last more than 2-3 days in a vase.
Poppy Varieties – Some Work Better Than Others
Not all poppies are created equal when it comes to cut flowers. Some varieties hold up better than others after cutting. Here are a few of the best choices:
-
Iceland Poppies These bloom in cool weather, producing flowers in white, pink, orange, yellow and red on long wiry stems The blooms are larger and the stems more upright than other poppies, making them a nice cut flower.
-
Oriental Poppies: The huge, crepe paper-like blooms on strong stems make these a striking cut flower. Red is the most common color but they also come in pink, coral and white.
-
Shirley Poppies Ruffled, tissue paper-like flowers in white, pink, red and bi-colors bloom on long slender stems ideal for cutting
Poppy Cutting and Care Tips
Poppies produce a milky sap when cut that will ooze from the stem and prevent them from absorbing water properly. Here are some tips to prep poppies for arrangements:
-
Cut stems in the early morning while still budded or just starting to open.
-
Sear the cut end of the stem briefly with a flame or plunge into boiling water for 30 seconds.
-
Cut under water to prevent sap from oozing out.
-
Use a floral preservative like Chrysal or Floralife in the water.
-
Recut stems and change water daily.
Even if you follow all these steps, most poppies will only last 2-4 days in a vase. So enjoy them quickly! The searing and special care is really only worth it for special event flowers.
Best Ways to Use Cut Poppies
Here are some tips for getting the most out of cut poppies:
-
Use as a focal point in a small arrangement of other fragile flowers like peonies or roses. The poppies will be the star attraction for a day or two before they fade.
-
Make a mono-bouquet of one poppy variety in a bold color like red or orange for maximum impact.
-
Mix poppy stems into an arrangement of greenery and filler flowers like baby’s breath. Let the poppies shine while they last.
-
Float a single poppy bloom in a low bowl or container of water.
-
Use the blooms as ephemeral napkin or place card decor for a special event.
Enjoy Poppies Where They Grow
The best way to enjoy poppies is to let them bloom in the garden! That way you can fully appreciate their fleeting beauty for the short time they flower. Poppies are easy to grow from seed scattered directly in the garden in fall. Choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Rake seeds in lightly and keep watered until seedlings emerge. Once established poppies are quite drought tolerant. Sit back and enjoy the short-lived but spectacular show!
A Parade of Poppies
Most of the time, gardeners can choose between annual poppies (Papaver, Eschscholtzia), which grow from seeds every year, and perennial poppies (Papaver, Stylophorum), which grow back from roots every year. Either way, poppies are pure joy to have in the garden or scattered across the landscape.
When the ephemeral flowers open, they come in a wide range of colors that sparkle, from bright white to cream to yellow, golden, orange, peach, pink, red, scarlet, lavender, plum, purple, and mahogany.
The secret to success with poppies is to select the best species for your zone and soil type.
It is thought that Iceland Poppies (Papaver nudicaule) are a hybrid group of annual plants from boreal (sub-polar) areas of Europe, Asia, and North America, but not from Iceland. These poppies do best in cooler zones (USDA Zones 3-7) and mildly acidic soils (pH 6. 0 to 7. 0). If it gets much warmer than 70 degrees at night before July, these are not the right crops for you. The plants have green leaves that grow to be 18 inches wide and flower stalks that are 3 feet long and up to 4 inches wide. The flowers are fragrant. Technically these are short-lived perennials, but most gardeners grow them as annuals.
Red Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) are annuals also called Flanders, corn, and field poppy. They have also been hybridized to create the Shirley poppy. Originally from Mesopotamia, the red poppies spread into southern Europe, southern Asia, and north Africa. It is best for these poppies to grow in warmer areas (USDA zones 4–9) and in mild soils that aren’t too acidic. Soils can even be chalky (pH 6). 5 to 7. 5). The plants are 18 inches across and have green leaves and flowers on stalks that are 2 to 4 feet long and 2 to 4 inches wide.
The California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are an annual flower that grows in western North America, from Mexico to California and into the southwestern deserts that get rain in the winter and spring. They do well in soils that have a pH of 6. 5 to 8. 0 and can take temperatures up to 90 degrees. The plants are up to 12 inches wide and have lacy, silvery-blue leaves. The flowers can be 1 to 4 inches across and grow on stalks that are 2 to 18 inches long. Also, this genus used to have several species, such as the Mexican poppy and the Death Valley poppy, but now they are all thought to be the same species.
Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennial poppies but are not from what we call the Orient today. The name comes from the Latin word for “East,” and many centuries ago, people thought of Persia as far away and east of the known world (Europe). Along with desert areas, Persia has cool mountains with snowy winters, and thats the climate Oriental poppies prefer. They do well in well-drained soils that have a pH of 6. 5 to 7. 0 and can take temperatures from -10 up to 90 degrees. The plants are up to 2 feet wide and have rough green leaves. The flowers grow on stalks that are 12 to 30 inches long and can be 1 to 4 inches across.
Stylophorum diphyllum, the celendine poppy, is a perennial poppy that grows in eastern North America. It is perfect for gardeners who want to grow plants in wooded areas. Unlike the previous species, they do well in moist soil with a pH of 5. 8 to 7. 0, and will even grow in clay soils. Plants spread to 18 inches wide with coarse, bluish-green foliage. The bright yellow flowers grow in groups on stalks that are 12 to 18 inches long and can be 1 to 3 inches across.
Poppies have an ancient lineage. Genealogically speaking, they have close family ties to plants that hung out with the dinosaurs. For a very long time, they have been in an “arms race” with animals that want to eat them. As a result of this arms race, some plants have chemicals that are very bad for you, like poison ivy. But some plants, like poppies, have chemicals that people love.
Warriors in Gilgamesh’s time cut each other up with bronze swords. Herbalists found that mixing crushed poppy seeds with wine could ease pain and put people to sleep. Humans have been raising poppies ever since. Over 6,000 years ago, people not only grew them, but also bred them to make more flowers, traded and taxed the seeds, and used carvings and paintings of the flowers and pods to decorate temples and palaces.
All members of the poppy family contain alkaloids, not just the opium poppies. Alkaloids can be deadly and should be treated with respect. Many cultures see different kinds of poppies as medicinal plants, and they can be if you use them the right way and in the right amount. Pet owners should monitor their pets. Poppy plants are generally so unpleasant that all animals, even pets, stay away from them after a quick sniff or taste.
Poppies as Cut Flowers
Oriental, Iceland and Shirley poppies make excellent cut flowers. The best time to harvest them is right before the buds open. When the stems are cut, they leak a milky latex that is messy and will kill the flower if it is not heated. Use a match to sear the cut ends or soak the stem ends for 20 to 30 seconds in hot water (110 to 180 degrees). Even with treatment the cut flowers only last a few days.
How to Sow Breadseed Poppies, Why to Grow Poppies for Cut Flowers + Favorite Poppy Varieties
FAQ
How long do poppies last as a cut flower?
Can you put poppies in a vase?
Are poppies good wedding flowers?
Can you get poppies in a bouquet?
Are poppies worth it?
Poppies are unlike anything else. The flowers are truly unmistakable because they’re so striking. If they were difficult to grow and care for, they’d still be worth it just to have that stunning display. Fortunately, they’re a cinch to grow and the reward is a head-turning show that lasts for weeks.
What type of poppy is best for cut flowers?
Oriental Poppies ( Papaver orientale ): A perennial type of poppy that is popular for landscape use. Usually not used as a cut flower, but also has interesting pods. 4. Iceland Poppies ( Pavaver nudicaule ): The best type of poppy for cut flower use.
Are poppies a cut flower?
As soon as they pop out of their casing, Poppies are covered in pollinators…. And unfortunately, once they have been pollinated, they are basically useless as a cut flower. If the Poppy is fully open, don’t bother harvesting it. Leave it for the bees instead. Be sure to cut deeply right into the base of the plant.
Are poppies a good plant?
The best way to avoid it is to plant in full sun and water at the soil level, not on the foliage. These showy plants make lovely specimens in rock gardens and mass plantings. They’re also a classic choice for cottage and wildflower gardens. Poppies make beautiful cut flowers, but they tend to fade quickly.